Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) - Uninstall

How to Uninstall the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)​

   Information

This will show you how to uninstall the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) in case you are having issues with it.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Note

If you still have the SP1 beta or RC installed, then you will need to uninstall them using an option in the tutorial below before they stop running and install the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM afterwards.

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta will stop running on June 30, 2011.

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RC will stop running on November 30, 2011.

In order of release:
Beta = prerelease beta build of SP1
RC = Release Candidate build of SP1
RTM = Release to Market final version SP1

   Warning

• If you used the Windows 7 SP1 Disk Cleanup Tool, then you will not be able to uninstall the SP1. Instead you would have to reinstall Windows 7 and the SP1 afterwards.
• If your computer (ex: OEM) came with Windows 7 SP1 already installed or you installed Windows 7 using a Windows 7 with SP1 installation disc (ex: retail or slipstreamed), then you will not be able to uninstall SP1.

OPTION ONE

Uninstall Windows 7 SP1 Beta, RC, or RTM using Programs and Features

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on Programs and Features.

2. Click on the View installed updates link in the left pane. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you don't see Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB 976932) in the list of installed updates, or if the uninstall option is disabled, use System Restore (OPTION THREE below) to uninstall the service pack.

3. Click on Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932) to uninstall. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could also select Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932) and click on the "Uninstall" button on the toolbar, or right click on Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932) and click on "Uninstall".

4. Click on Yes. (see screenshot below)

5. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) will now start uninstalling. It will take a bit to complete.

6. When prompted, restart the computer to finish.

OPTION TWO

Uninstall Windows 7 SP1 Beta, RC, or RTM using a Elevated Command Prompt

1. Open a elevated command prompt (Run as administrator).

2. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press enter.
Wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:976932
3. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) will now start uninstalling. It will take a bit to complete.

4. When prompted, restart the computer to finish.

OPTION THREE

Uninstall Windows 7 SP1 Beta, RC, or RTM using System Restore

:warn: WARNING: Doing a System Restore will also remove any programs and revert any system changes that have been made since you installed the service pack. System Restore will not affect any personal files in your user folders.
1. Do a system restore using a restore point that has the same date or before you installed the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1).
NOTE: The restore point created automatically when you installed the SP1 beta will be labelled either Install: Windows Update or Install: Windows 7 Service Pack 1.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How Use the Windows 7 SP1 Disk Cleanup Tool to Recover Lost Disk Space
• How to Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 and Updates to Create a Bootable USB, Installation DVD, or ISO File
• Windows 7 Service Pack 1 FAQs and helpful links

 

[Night Hawk]

One fast way to see just how many and what older restore points are still available is to start up the System Restore feature and check off the "show more points" option. As you can see from the imade below the 5/30 point was still availble here while this will vary on each system.

As for the differing expiration dates the present form of the SP1 beta now seen is the developers version not having reached the one selected for general release for home users which will see a set date for expiration on that. The SP1 is still in the development stages and could be seeing daily/weekly changes.

A 4th step(not mentioned and for advanced users) is for those who created a full system image right before installation of the beta version of the service pack. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

This would a last resort option however not preserving any new files or programs added since the image was first seen.

 

[geniulmalefic]

Thankyou very much.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Geniulmalefic.

 

[neeraj]

thanx Shawn...!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Neeraj.

 

[Gary]

OK, I have tried every method known and it fails every time. Is there another way in lieu of a clean install?

 

[Brink]

Hello Gary,

What error message are you getting?

Did you try a system restore at boot using a restore point dated before you installed the SP1 beta?

 

[Mual]

Thank you Brink!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Mual.

 

[650oiiui9]

What will happen after RC expiration date?

Because i do have RC installed and i can't uninstall it. I don't have a recovery or restore point without RC and my Windows 7 edition which i bought is upgrade from Vista version. So after expiration of RC i will have to buy new Windows 7?

If yes, so **** Microsoft

 

[Brink]

What will happen after RC expiration date?

Because i do have RC installed and i can't uninstall it. I don't have a recovery or restore point without RC and my Windows 7 edition which i bought is upgrade from Vista version. So after expiration of RC i will have to buy new Windows 7?

If yes, so **** Microsoft

Hello Coconut, and welcome to Seven Forums.

When the RC expires, your Windows 7 will no longer work.

You will not need to repurchase Windows 7 though.

Before this date since you cannot uninstall the RC, you will just need to backup anything that you do not want to lose, do a clean install with the upgrade Windows 7 (click on link), and install the final RTM version of SP1.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[650oiiui9]

And my product key will still work?

 

[Brink]

Yep, you will just need to enter the same Windows 7 product key number and activate it after installation as shown in the link above for doing a clean install with a upgrade Windows 7 copy.

 

[650oiiui9]

I have it likes this. Is this ok, or it will expire?

 

[Brink]

Coconut,

Since this is not the SP1 RTM that you have installed, then yes it will expire.

Before it expires, you will need to backup anything that you do not want to lose, do a clean install with the upgrade Windows 7 (click on link), and install the SP1 RTM final version.

 

[650oiiui9]

So I've succesfully reinstalled Windows and apply SP1

thanks

 

[Brink]

That's great news Coconut. I'm happy to hear it.

 

[ajfudge]

This would be the 5th post from Brink that I've read and all of them had been VERY useful and informative.
Thank you.

 

[Brink]

Thank you AJ.

 

[larbabe]

Uninstall SP1 didn't fix problems

Yesterday I installed SP1. After the reboot I found that Quickbooks wouldn't run anymore, AVG antivirus was disabled and there's a "contribute" error in Outlook. My business depends on Quickbooks, so I uninstalled SP1 through the Add/Remove and windows updates. Rebooted, didn't help. Tried the command as administrator remove and it said that file wasn't installed. All my system restore dates are gone now, so there's no way to restore. Registry Mechanic didn't help. Other suggestions were multiple boots and holding CTRL while starting Quickbooks, none of which made any difference.

Microsoft was no help, nor was Intuit. Machine was working fine before the install.

You folks seem to know what you're talking about. How can I undo the damage that SP1 has done without starting over from scratch?

Running Win7 Home Premium 32 Bit on a Toshiba laptop. 2 ghz AMD proc, 2 gb ram. Quickbooks Pro 2010. MS Office 2010